Service RIfle reloading question

[XTR]

I'm going to give service rifle a whirl, planning to go to the CMP clinic this weekend at ORSA. I've got a question about loads.

I just started sorting and loading a 5 gallon bucket of military brass I got from my Father in Law a couple of yrs ago. Looks like he was planing to do a lot of reloading back in the mid 90s. Nothing newer than a 94 date stamp on the LC, haven't looked to closely at the WCC but it's probably about the same. I've been sorting it by head-stamp, not worried about date just noticing them as I sort.

My question is about number of bullets and loads in a normal match. I'm loading Nosler 77s to mag length for the rapid fire matches, and Nosler 80s long for single feed at 600. That part I understand (I think) but what about the slow fire matches at 200/300, do you typically shoot those with mag length ammo or do you load up something longer?

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

When I shot Service Rifle, I used the same ammunition for 200 and 300; slow and rapids. I had a different load for the 600 prone. Two different loads was enough to keep track of.

 

[XTR]

When I shot Service Rifle, I used the same ammunition for 200 and 300; slow and rapids. I had a different load for the 600 prone. Two different loads was enough to keep track of.

Kind of my thoughts. Thanks

 

[fl3gun]

Shoot the mag length loads for all the 200 and 300 yard matches and the 80's at 600. you will need a minimum of 66 rounds mag length. I always take 20 extra just in case Murphy strikes. I also always have 2 extra round of 600 ammo.

 

[ar10ar15man]

unless it has changed service rifle is 2/8 or 5/5 per string for short range rapid fire, (1/2/300) and single loaded for slow fire lr 500/600...shot as 22 rds in 22 min, 20 for record.
match can be 60/66 or 80/88 as i recall

 

[FroggyOne2]

Um it is not 2/8 "or" 5/5!

 

[mgx1138]

NRA Service Rifle rules allow the rapids to be shot with either 2 rounds in the first mag and 8 rounds in second mag, or 5 rounds in each. CMP rules require the first mag to have 2 rounds and the second mag to have 8 rounds.

 

[FroggyOne2]

I don't look at Service Rifle for none other than CMP, but then that is my personal opinion. And if your shooting service rifle, it would be best to always shoot 2/8.

 

[XTR]

Thanks folks.

 

[ar10ar15man]

try that with an 03a3....

there is a reason for the rule

I don't look at Service Rifle for none other than CMP, but then that is my personal opinion. And if your shooting service rifle, it would be best to always shoot 2/8.

 

[Gundog64]

try that with an 03a3....

there is a reason for the rule

The only rifles recognized by the CMP as "Service Rifles" are the Garand, M14/M1A, and the AR15/M16. So you are right there is a "reason for the rule" and that is to accommodate the Garand.

 

[ar10ar15man]

5/5 IN A GARAND ??

try that with an 03a3....

there is a reason for the rule

The only rifles recognized by the CMP as "Service Rifles" are the Garand, M14/M1A, and the AR15/M16. So you are right there is a "reason for the rule" and that is to accommodate the Garand.

 

[Gundog64]

The fact that the Garand is considered a "Service rifle" is why the CMP does not allow 5 & 5 loading for the rapids. Under the CMP everybody plays by the same rules for the rapid fire loading regardless of what rifle they shoot. The NRA rules give you the option for either 5 & 5, or 2 & 8 when competing in the service rifle class.

 

[mac86951]

When I shot Service Rifle, I used the same ammunition for 200 and 300; slow and rapids. I had a different load for the 600 prone. Two different loads was enough to keep track of.

+1. I found the 77 to work just fine at 200 and 300. You could use the 69gr as well, but its a trade-off More velocity Less BC. You could even take the 77 out to 600, but without a time crunch single-loading is favored so the 80 or even 90 will be better than the 77.

-Mac

 

[Dans40X]

NRA XTC
Run your 77's for the 200 Offhand & Sitting Rapids & 300 prone rapids(66rds).
Take an extra 10rds of the 77gr offhand/rapid ammo in case you have an alibi that you didn't work/shoot through.

Run your 80's @ 600 through a single round follower/sled(22rds).
Take an extra 10rds of the 80gr 600 ammo in case you have a tie breaker.

Sucks to be in a shoot off & you don't have any ammo.

 

[XTR]

NRA XTC
Run your 77's for the 200 Offhand & Sitting Rapids & 300 prone rapids(66rds).
Take an extra 10rds of the 77gr offhand/rapid ammo in case you have an alibi that you didn't work/shoot through.

Run your 80's @ 600 through a single round follower/sled(22rds).
Take an extra 10rds of the 80gr 600 ammo in case you have a tie breaker.

Sucks to be in a shoot off & you don't have any ammo.

I show up with enough ammo for me and 2 other people, that's not a problem.

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I did a little CMP class this weekend. Just shooting all the positions from 200. The 77s worked fine,

 

[FroggyOne2]

Wade,

You did very well at the clinic, I was impressed for your first time out. I think that your going to find out that shooting sling is a gas!

Ps: thank you for coming out to help with the long range clinic.

 

[KevinThomas]

XTR,

DO NOT focus on the miniumum number of rounds! Murphy lives on HighPower ranges. ALWAYS bring enough for at least one alibi refire, and more is better. Gun malfunctions, range alibis, crossfires on your target, whatever, you never want to show up with the bare minimum number of rounds. That's an engraved invitation for Murphy.

Sounds like you got that pretty well covered, and welcome to the club! Now, to start collecting leg points.